IUSB professor ties rise in crime to soft economy

SOUTH BEND (WSBT) Â? Gas prices are hovering around $4 a gallon, and unemployment rates keep going up. Experts say some people are committing crimes to make a buck.

The increasing crime trend is happening all over. Investigators say Monday a female bartender was robbed and kidnapped in her own car at knife point. The 24-year-old woman escaped safely and ran to another nearby business to call 911.

But other local victims haven't been as lucky. Earlier this month police say six men beat and robbed a Portage Avenue clothing store owner, two men robbed and slashed a young woman in a South Bend parking garage and Tuesday an Elkhart cab driver crashed into an apartment building after he was robbed at knife point.

That cab driver was able to run away and call police. He escaped unharmed.